Hybrid luminescent/magnetic nanostructured porous silicon particles for biomedical applications

摘要

This work describes a novel process for the fabrication of hybrid nanostructured particles showingnintense tunable photoluminescence and a simultaneous ferromagnetic behavior. The fabrication process involvesnthe synthesis of nanostructured porous silicon (NPSi) by chemical anodization of crystalline silicon and subsequentnin pore growth of Co nanoparticles by electrochemically-assisted infiltration. Final particles are obtained bynsubsequent sonication of the Co-infiltrated NPSi layers and conjugation with poly(ethylene glycol) aiming atnenhancing their hydrophilic character. These particles respond to magnetic fields, emit light in the visible whennexcited in the UV range, and internalize into human mesenchymal stem cells with no apoptosis induction.nFurthermore, cytotoxicity in in-vitro systems confirms their biocompatibility and the viability of the cells afternincorporation of the particles. The hybrid nanostructured particles might represent powerful research tools asncellular trackers or in cellular therapy since they allow combining two or more properties into a single particle.